Chuck E. Cheese tops for keiki parties

With our keiki being so important to us, it's crucial that these members of our family have a place to celebrate in style. And for the readers of the Star Bulletin/MidWeek, no place better fits the bill better then Chuck E. Cheese.

The fun-filled restaurants, which combine child-friendly food with good times for all, handle about 100 parties each week. And it seems the only difficult thing about a party at Chuck E. Cheese is getting the kids out once the party is over.

"A lot of them want to stay longer," laughed owner Wayne Hayami. "It's a special place were parents can bring their kids in for special events and when they want to reward them. It's a mini Disneyland."

No doubt one of the things parents appreciate is that Chuck E. Cheese can take care of everything, or the restaurants can modify things to fit individual tastes. Fair prices don't hurt either.

Like nearly every town in the United States, nightly entertainment in Hawaii centers around the television. However, when the need arrives for a more personal acting experience, Diamond Head Theatre tops the list.

Deena Dray, DHT's executive director, believes community involvement has been the key to the theater's 91 years of success.

"We have a reputation for quality and professionalism, but the most important thing is that we include everyone in the production," she said.

With the exception of occasional guest actors, everyone associated with what happens on stage is a volunteer. From the actors to the costumes and set designers, Diamond Head Theatre is a labor of love. And it shows.

"People have likened what we do to Broadway. Not saying that we are equals. But I think we have a level of quality that is fabulous for a community theater in the middle of the Pacific. Given our budget and the size of the theater, we're comparable."

After an evening of theater, or an afternoon with the kids, winding down with a nice glass of wine might be just what you need. Ruth's Chris, more famously known as the place to go for a great steak, is also home to Oahu's best wine list. Star Bulletin/MidWeek readers love its huge selection of wines that are brought in weekly to pair with the meals or that have been requested by its loyal customers. General manager Don Asam can only laugh when asked the actual number of bottles, but says the restaurant offers more than 20 wines by the glass. Perfect for dinner or that pau hana drink.

Others winners are: Ocean Club (night club), Star of Honolulu (sunset cruise), Don Ho (local entertainer), Society of Seven (local music group), Mai Tai Bar (pau hana hour), Polynesian Cultural Center (tourist attraction), Paradise Cove (luau), Ward 16 Theatres (place to see a movie), Indigo (martini bar), Karaoke Hut (karaoke), Taste of Honolulu (best annual event), Waikiki Shell (live music), Honolulu Zoo (family attraction), East Side Grill (sports bar).

Night Club 1. Ocean Club 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 531-8444 www.oceanclubonline.com 2. Rumours 410 Atkinson Dr., 955-4811 3. Zanzabar 2255 Kuhio Ave., 924-3939 www.zanzabarhawaii.com	Family Attraction 1. Honolulu Zoo Corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua, 971-7171 www.honoluluzoo.org 2. Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park 400 Farrington Hwy., 674-9283 Ext 107 www.hawaiianwaters.com 3. Star of Honolulu 1540 S. King St., 983-7700 www.starofhonolulu.com
Live Theater 1. Diamond Head Theatre 520 Makapuu Ave., 733-0274 www.diamondheadtheatre.com 2. Hawaii Theatre 1130 Bethel St. 528-0506 www.hawaiitheatre.com 3. Manoa Valley Theatre 2833 East Manoa Rd., 988-6131 www.manoavalleytheatre.com	Pau Hana Hour 1. Mai Tai Bar 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 947-2900 www.maitaibar.com/hawaii.html 2. Ocean Club 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 531-8444 www.oceanclubonline.com 3. (tie) Murphy's Bar & Grill 2 Merchant St., 531-0422 www.gomurphys.com 3. (tie) Side Street Inn 1225 Hopaka St., 591-0253
Luau 1. Paradise Cove 92-1089 Aliinui Dr. # 20, 679-0003 www.paradisecove.com 2. Germaine's 444 Hobron Ln., 941-3338 www.germainesluau.com 3. Polynesian Cultural Center 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., 293-3333 www.polynesia.com	Wine List 1. Ruth's Chris 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 599-3860 www.ruthschris.com/locations/ honolulusteakhouse.html 2. Hoku 5000 Kahala Ave., 739-8780 3. Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors 1216 10th Ave., 735-7100 851 Pohukaina Street Suite C, 589-1677
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Ruth's Chris sommelier Eric Hill offers a wine list that few others can match.
Martini Bar 1. Indigo 1121 Nuuanu Ave., Suite 105, 521-2900 2. Mai Tai Bar 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 947-2900 www.maitaibar.com/hawaii.html 3. Palomino 66 Queen St., 528-2400 www.palomino.com	Karaoke 1. Karaoke Hut 909 Kapahulu Ave., 734-7771 2. HMC 98-108 Lipoa Pl., 488-1881 3. Room 2 1680 Kapiolani Blvd., 949-2644
Keiki Parties 1. Chuck E Cheese Aina Haina Shopping Center, 373-2151 Pearl City Shopping Center, 455-1448 www.chuckecheese.com 2. McDonald's 52 Locations on Oahu www.mcdonalds.com/usa.html 3. Dave & Buster's 1030 Auahi St., 589-2215 www.daveandbusters.com	Local Entertainer 1. Don Ho www.donho.com 2. Frank Delima 3. Augie T
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Do Ho keeps his fans suckin' 'em up after all these years.
Live Music 1. Waikiki Shell 2805 Monsarrat Ave., 527-5400 www.blaisdellcenter.com 2. Mai Tai Bar 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 947-2900 www.maitaibar.com/hawaii.html 3. (tie) Aloha Tower Marketplace 1 Aloha Tower Drive, 528-5700 www.alohatower.com 3. (tie) Chai's Island Bistro Aloha Tower Marketplace, 585-0011 www.chaisislandbistro.com	Local Music Group 1. Society of Seven www.societyofseven.org 2. Makaha 3. Na Leo
Tourist Attraction 1. Polynesian Cultural Center 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., 293-3333 www.polynesia.com 2. Pearl Harbor 1 Arizona Memorial Pl., 422-0561 www.nps.gov/usar/ 3. Star of Honolulu 1540 S. King St., 983-7700 www.starofhonolulu.com	Sports Bar 1. East Side Grill 1035 University Ave., 952-6555 eastsidegrill.tripod.com 2. Hooters of Honolulu Aloha Tower Marketplace, 524-4668 www.hooters.com 3. Murphy's Bar & Grill 2 Merchant St., 531-0422 www.gomurphys.com
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Dinner aboard the Star of Honolulu is a relaxing way to see the sunset and a breathtaking view of the city at the same time.
Place To See a Movie 1. Ward 16 Theatres 1044 Auahi St., 593-3000 www.consolidatedtheatres.com 2. Signature Dole Cannery 753B Iwilei Rd., 526-3456 www.signaturetheatres.com 3. Wallace Theatres Restaurant Row, 526-4171 Keolu Center Cinemas, 263-4171 Laie Cinemas, 293-7516 www.wallacetheaters.com	Annual Event 1. Taste of Honolulu www.tasteofhonolulu.com 2. Merrie Monarch Festival www.merriemonarchfestival.org 3. Aloha Week Parade www.alohafestivals.com
Sunset Cruise 1. Star of Honolulu 1540 S. King St., 983-7700 www.starofhonolulu.com 2. Navatek 1600 Kapiolani Blvd., 973-1311 www.navatek.us 3. Alii Kai Catamaran Aloha Tower Marketplace, 539-9400